k im not sure if this has been beaten to death, but im looking to get an 05 wrx sti. but as ive been reading there arent that many people with it yet. so is it worth it to go out and get the STI or should i just get the WRX. which is more mod friendly? cause i plan on doing some serious mods. thanks

I would say that it depends on how much money you have to spend on serious mods, it's going to take a good bit of money to get a wrx to the sti level. From what I have read on this forum Cosmo has mods that surpass the sti's performance check with him and see what will work better for you.

It seems like they are just as easy to mod as the WRX but the STi starts out much more powerful.

The STi has a better transmission and will not require expensive transmission upgrades untill you reach insane horsepower numbers, the WRX will need a better transmission much sooner. The STi starts with a better suspension and interior. Driver controlled differential, etc etc...

The only three reasons I can see for getting a WRX over an STi are the following:
1) the WRX is cheaper
2) they don't make an STi wagon for the U.S.
3) they have made WRXs in the US for longer so you can find them cheaper used

ahh i see what you guys mean. well i guess it's the STi for me then. id rather pay the extra for the STi then mod it..cause if it's so sick right out the box..then modding will just make it that much sicker thx guys..but yea more info would be great

It depends on what you want to do. Out of the box, the STi is a much better car all around. Better engine. Better drivetrain. Better suspension. Less comfortable seats . But, that comes at a price. Usually $7k or so. Only recently are mods for the STi becoming more readily available. Many of the bolt on parts are interchangable between the STi and WRX. But, electronic mods (engine management mainly) have only recently become available for the STi.

My situation is this.... I have a car that puts out more power than an STi. A pretty good bit more. And I have spent less total on the car with the mods than if I was to have bought an STi. However, I bought my car before the STi was available. If I had to do it over again, and could afford it, I'd get the STi. Well, if they made it in yellow, that is...

If you put the same amount of money, or even the same exact mods on an STi and a WRX, the STi would win.

Put a the same turbo on each car, same intercooler, same engine mangement (although the STi already has bigger injectors), same exhaust, and other supporting mods, and the STi will win. That extra .5L makes a big difference.

The STi drivetrain is the main thing I like about it. It's easy enough to make an engine put out more power. It's considerably more difficult to make sure something isn't going to break in the process. I have never heard of anyone breaking the STi transmission.

Plus, the STi has a better suspension from the factory. It also has better wheels and tires. I hate the STi seats, but that is something I think I could get used to if I had to.

The STi is probably the closest thing to being race-ready you can buy for under $100k. At the last three autocrosses here, a bone stock STi has won. It also outruns most all other cars at the drag strip. The only ones that beat it have twice as many cylinders.

Love my '05 Sti, just watch for the boost creep that is a problem with some DP and Exhaust combos, the reason I am buying a UTEC next week. BUT if you add up the extra's its worth it, and the insurance isnt much at all, about the same as I was paying when I had a 97 eclipse, my new winter car lol. Great car, with so many upgrades, loved the WRX then drove an STi, was sold. Either way you cant go wrong....Its a subaru

Love my '05 Sti, just watch for the boost creep that is a problem with some DP and Exhaust combos, the reason I am buying a UTEC next week. BUT if you add up the extra's its worth it, and the insurance isnt much at all, about the same as I was paying when I had a 97 eclipse, my new winter car lol. Great car, with so many upgrades, loved the WRX then drove an STi, was sold. Either way you cant go wrong....Its a subaru

insuring my 04 wrx added $900 a year to my insurance costs

it helps to have a 12 year old beater car with 4 doors, automatic seatbelts, and no power.